Linked media – Associated media
As President Biden and his team prepared for NATO’s 75th anniversary celebration, starting Tuesday evening in Washington, the goal was to project unity and trust. The intention was to send a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and other adversaries that, despite over two years of war in Ukraine, NATO had grown stronger and more resolute in its mission to deter aggression.
However, as 38 world leaders began arriving on Monday, this confidence seemed to waver. Even before the summit officially commenced, doubts arose about Biden’s potential for a second term and the specter of former President Donald Trump’s possible return. Trump, who once labeled NATO as “obsolete,” has threatened to withdraw from the alliance and suggested he would allow Russia free rein in member countries not contributing enough to NATO.
With Trump’s rise in recent polls, European allies are increasingly concerned about the implications of a second Trump term for the alliance, particularly regarding its ability to confront Russia without American support. Biden will welcome leaders at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, the historic site where NATO was founded in 1949. At 81, Biden is a staunch advocate for the alliance, which has expanded from 12 to 32 members since its inception. As leaders gather, they will scrutinize Biden’s performance for signs of his capability to lead for another term.
Biden has expressed confidence in his leadership, inviting observers to judge his effectiveness based on the summit’s outcomes and the allies’ reactions. As NATO leaders arrive, they acknowledge the unexpected test of maintaining momentum in support of Ukraine amidst uncertainty about the alliance’s most crucial member.
Outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of political leadership and commitment to sustaining the alliance’s success over the past 75 years. NATO is also preparing for the possibility of a second Trump presidency by establishing a new command to ensure continuous military support for Ukraine.
Despite efforts to modernize their forces, NATO members have yet to significantly increase their military budgets to match the demands of potential prolonged conflict with Russia. More than 20 NATO countries have met the goal of spending 2% of their GDP on defense, a target set over a decade ago. However, this percentage appears insufficient for the current challenges.
Germany, for example, has promised to enhance its military capabilities but has struggled to secure the necessary funding and public support. Carl Bildt of the European Council on Foreign Relations suggests that European nations may need to double their defense budgets to effectively deter Russian threats.
The immediate issue for Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is managing expectations from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding Ukraine’s NATO membership. Last year, Zelensky expressed frustration over the lack of a clear timeline for Ukraine’s accession to NATO. While NATO has pledged to streamline Ukraine’s membership process, the alliance has yet to provide a definitive date, posing a challenge in ongoing negotiations.
Despite NATO’s commitment to Ukraine, some leaders within the alliance appear sympathetic to Russia’s diplomatic positions. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s recent visit to Russia, where he refrained from criticizing the invasion of Ukraine, has raised concerns. The White House criticized Orban’s visit, emphasizing the need for unity in supporting Ukraine.
Stoltenberg acknowledged the varied approaches of NATO allies towards Moscow but warned that attempting to negotiate peace on Russia’s terms would not lead to true peace, only occupation.
As NATO leaders convene, the alliance faces the dual challenge of maintaining its unity and effectiveness while navigating internal uncertainties and external threats.
Connected media – Connected media
